Since the 18th century, the Czech Republic has provided the world with an amazing number of great–or at least good–composers. Here are nine of them, both popular and forgotten ones, presented in a series of orchestral “little pearls” and favorite encores. Smetana’s operatic overtures and Dvorak’s “Polonaise” from Rusalka combine sonorous orchestrations, lively moods, and memorable tunes, while the latter’s Humoresque (arranged for strings from the piano original) has plenty of charm to offer within a delicate texture. Although identical to Sibelius’ famous piece in title, Oskar Nedbal’s meditative Valse triste appears logically to be closer to Dvorak’s Slavonic Dances in atmosphere. Zdenek Fibich’s Poem from the Idyll “At Twilight”, Vitezslav Novak’s Amorous Couple, and Martinu’s Idyll all explore a common, lyrical side to these otherwise very different and original composers. Not surprisingly, the folk element finds in Janacek its most zealous advocate. Finally, Fucik’s Florentine March and Suk’s Festival March “Towards a New Life” overflow with optimism through powerful brass playing. It goes without saying that the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra swims like a fish in these familiar waters. The analog recording is typical of Supraphon’s style in the 1980s: at once bright, detailed, and panoramic.
